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Home » Appetizers » Lemon Pistachio Arugula Pesto

Lemon Pistachio Arugula Pesto

Created: June 5, 2014 Updated: January 6, 2023 by Lyuba Brooke 14 Comments

1.4K shares
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This new pesto recipe will change your world! It’s made with pistachios, lemon, arugula, parsley and blended to smooth perfection that goes well with everything!

This Lemon Pistachio Arugula Pesto in a small white square bowl

Have you ever tried something new (food of course) and knew that you were so in love that you had to recreate it immediately?! It happens to me quite often, I try something at a restaurant and I can’t stop thinking about it for days to come. I can’t help but try to figure out the recipe and make it at home, over and over.

This is exactly the feeling I got after trying an amazing new (to me) pesto at a fantastic beach-front restaurant last weekend. Hubs and I had a relaxing weekend at the beach and a wonderful dinner. They served a sampler of spreads with their bread and I fell head-over-hills in love with pistachio arugula pesto. I vowed to make it at home and I did!

Using pistachios in pesto was a genius idea and it was totally worth shelling the nuts for 30 minutes! I also believe that I improved this pesto a little by enhancing the citrus flavor of arugula with an addition of lemon zest and by adding creaminess to this pesto with Parmesan cheese.

Aahhhhh…heaven!

This Lemon Pistachio Arugula Pesto in a small white square bowl

Lemon Pistachio Arugula Pesto

It's made with pistachios, lemon, arugula, parsley and blended to smooth perfection that goes well with everything!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 (makes about 2 1/2 cup)s
Calories: 275kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pistachios unsalted
  • 2 cups arugula packed
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley
  • Zest from 1/2 lemon
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2/3 cup olive or avocado oil more if you like your pesto thinner
  • Salt
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine your dry ingredients in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
  • Add oil and lemon juice and blend until completely mixed and smooth.
  • Taste to see if you need more salt. Add more oil if desirable.
  • Keep refrigerated, in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

bread that has been dipped into pesto and the Lemon Pistachio Arugula Pesto in a small white square bowl

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LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

1.4K shares

Filed Under: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Side Dishes, Toppings and Spreads

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says

    June 8, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    I do the same thing when I eat something delicious. I can’t stop thinking about it for days until I can come up with my own version. It’s really great when you can improve on it! This looks as good as you described it, and your pics are just beautiful, as usual. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:11 pm

      Thank you so much, Heather! It sure was great!

      Reply
  2. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    June 6, 2014 at 11:50 pm

    I’m impressed you shelled all those pistachios. Granted I have definitely done that before because it’s so much cheaper to buy them in their shells. As for the pesto, I love experimenting with new versions. Sounds like yours was a success!

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      Haha, yes, much cheaper and I didn’t see any shelled ones!
      Thank you so much, Erin!

      Reply
  3. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

    June 6, 2014 at 7:20 am

    Can’t wait to try it!! Every time I go into a restaurant I always look for something different. I love trying new recipes and new ways of preparing things. I love using grape oil — very neutral when you use it and it makes the other ingredients shine through.

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      Grapeseed oil is my favorite! Thank you, Marisa!!

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says

    June 5, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Any kind of pesto is good in my book!!

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      Thank you, Elizabeth!!

      Reply
  5. marcie says

    June 5, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    I love the combination of this pesto — it sounds so light and refreshing! I’m going to have to try this. 🙂

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      I hope you do, Marcie! Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Matt Robinson says

    June 5, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    This really is a genius idea, I can only imagine how good this tastes. So easy to make too, happening here for sure soon!

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      Aww, thank you, Matt! Hope you like it!

      Reply
  7. Baby June says

    June 5, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    What a great idea! I love all the flavors in here–lemon + pistachio is one of my favorite combos! Will have to try this sometime this summer. 🙂

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      Thank you so much, June!

      Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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